Modular pegboard cargo restraint

ABSTRACT

A pegboard system for constraining items of cargo in transit has one or more pegboards to cover a cargo support area, the pegboards having an upper surface with openings for pegs, and a plurality of pegs sized to fit into the openings in the pegboards to constrain the items of cargo from substantial lateral movement. In some cases there are elastic top elements for pegs to protect items of cargo, and straps between pegs to aid in constraint of the items of cargo.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of vehicle accessories andpertains more particularly to the methods for securing objects of cargowithin moving vehicles, such as automobiles, trucks, aircraft and boats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well-known that vehicles of all sorts are used to transport a widevariety of cargo, such as bags, cans, bottles, boxes, packages and thelike, and it is well known that there are many hazards in suchtransport. Vehicles used in general for transporting cargo of all sortsvary from very small utility vehicles to automobiles, pickup trucks andlarge tractor/trailer systems. Simple examples are used below toillustrate such hazards, but it will be understood that the same sortsof hazards exist in many other situations.

As an example of the hazards of moving cargo with vehicles, many peopleuse their automobiles to transport purchased items, such as groceriesand packages, after they do their shopping. One of the problems is thetransport of items from the store to home afterwards. When a consumerpurchases products from a store and places them in the trunk of his orher automobile, the purchased items are typically not constrained, andare left to the mercy of many disruptive forces on the journey home. Thepurchased items may roll as the automobile turns, fly in the air as theautomobile passes over a speed bump, or be crushed by surroundingobjects in the trunk.

Currently, the trunks of most automobiles are relatively flat, and offerno means of securing vulnerable items such as grocery bags, vases, glasscontainers, eggs in cartons, and so on. What is clearly needed is areliable system to secure packages and other items in the trunks ofautomobiles, and by extension on any platform of a moving vehicle thatmay be used to transport cargo. Such a system would greatly aid in thesafe and economical transport of vulnerable items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

I(n a preferred embodiment of the present invention a pegboard systemfor constraining items of cargo in transit is provided, comprising oneor more pegboards to cover a cargo support area, the pegboards having anupper surface with openings for pegs, and a plurality of pegs sized tofit into the openings in the pegboards to constrain the items of cargofrom substantial lateral movement.

In some individual pegboards have lateral interfaces for joining tocover the cargo support area. In some cases the lateral interfaces aredovetail shapes, and in some other cases the lateral interfaces includeone or more of magnets, spring clamps, pin-and-socket interfaces, oradhesive fasteners.

In some embodiments the openings are round holes extending at least partway through a thickness of the pegboard, and the pegs are round shaftshaving a diameter to firmly engage the openings. Also in someembodiments there are elastic top elements engaging one or more of thepegs, the top elements having a greater lateral extent than the pegs,and thereby providing protection between pegs and items of cargo. Insome cases the pegs are hollow tubes and the top elements comprise anextension portion for engaging the inside of the tube.

In some embodiments of the invention there are straps for engaging pegsto further constrain the items of cargo, the straps having ends enabledto attach to individual pegs. In a preferred embodiment the ends of thestraps are enabled by sleeves to slidably engage pegs. In some cases thesleeves have a height less than one half the height of pegs, such thatsleeves from two different straps may engage the same peg.

In another aspect of the present invention a method for constrainingcargo in transit is provided, comprising the steps of (a) covering atleast a portion of a cargo area with one or more pegboards each havingan upper surface with openings for pegs; (b) placing an item of cargo onthe pegboard; and (c) placing pegs in openings in the one or morepegboards in a pattern around the item of cargo to constrain the itemfrom lateral movement.

In a preferred embodiment of the method individual pegboards havelateral interfaces for joining to cover the cargo support area, andincluding a step for engaging the pegboards by the lateral interfaces.In some cases the lateral interfaces are dovetail shapes. In other casesthe lateral interfaces include one or more of magnets, spring clamps,pin-and-socket interfaces, or adhesive fasteners.

In some embodiments of the method the openings are round holes extendingat least part way through a thickness of the pegboard, and the pegs areround shafts having a diameter to firmly engage the openings. In someembodiments there is a further step for engaging one or more elastic topelements to one or more of the pegs, the top elements having a greaterlateral extent than the pegs, and thereby providing protection betweenthe pegs and the item of cargo.

In some cases the pegs are hollow tubes and the top elements comprise anextension portion for engaging the inside of the tube. There may furtherbe a step for engaging straps between pegs to further constrain the itemof cargo, the straps having ends enabled to attach to individual pegs.In a preferred embodiment the ends of the straps are enabled by sleevesto slidably engage pegs. Also in some cases the sleeves have a heightless than one half the height of the pegs, such that sleeves from twodifferent straps may engage the same peg.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 a is a plan view of a pegboard according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 b is a plan view of a pegboard having engagement features in thesides.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view in cross-section of the pegboard of FIG.1 b.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a peg in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 a is an elevation view of an elastic element for use with thepegs of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 b is an elevation view of an alternative elastic element for usewith the pegs of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a rubber strap useful with pegs andpegboards in embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 a is an elevation view of a pegboard system with pegs and elasticelements according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 b is a plan view of a pegboard system according to an embodimentof the invention, including elastic elements of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 a is an elevation view of a pegboard system restraining an itemof cargo according to an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 7 b is a plan view of the system of FIG. 7 a.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for assemblyand use of pegboard, pegs, and rubber straps in an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, modularpegboards which have openings for insertion of pegs are used inconjunction with pegs for securing cargo in transport, and in some casesflexible straps are used with the pegs. The methods and apparatus of theinvention are described in enabling detail below by exemplaryembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 a is an overhead view of a pegboard 100 according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention. Pegboard 100 has a pattern ofopenings 101, which are round holes in a preferred embodiment, and inthe embodiment shown the openings 101 are arranged in rows and columns.Further, the openings 101 may or may not pass completely through thepegboard. Also in the embodiment shown the openings are equally spaced,although this is not a general limitation in the invention, nor is thenumber of holes a limitation.

Pegboard 100 is substantially rectangular in this exemplary embodiment,although this shape also should not be taken as a limitation, but as aconvenience. The length and width of one modular board may vary widelyin different embodiments, but is generally determined by use. It isdesirable, for example, that a number of boards 100 be fitted togetherto provide coverage of a surface, such as the floor of the trunk of anautomobile, or the floor of the bed of another conveyance, such as apickup truck. A relatively small size compared to the surface to becovered allows the modular boards 100 to be conveniently stacked andstored when not in use, and to be efficiently packaged for shipment anddisplayed for sale.

FIG. 1 b illustrates a pegboard 100′ similar to pegboard 100 of FIG. 1,with engagement features 102 and 103 molded into sides of board 100′such that the boards 100 may dovetail and slidably fit together, as anaid in constraining the boards 100 in use. It will be apparent to theskilled artisan that the triangular shape shown in FIG. 1 b may differin other embodiments, and many different sorts of engagement featuresmay be used to accomplish this purpose. The composition of pegboard 100in this embodiment is molded plastic, although again this is aconvenience rather than a limitation.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view cross-section view of pegboard 100 or100′, taken generally along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1 b. In the presentembodiment, the thickness T of board 100 or 100′ may range from ½″thickness to 2″, but in other embodiments the thickness may be smalleror greater. Openings 101, 101′ and 101″ are for support of pegs 300 notshown in FIG. 2, but described further below, and there is a requirementfor supporting the pegs 300 in the openings 101, which is at least inpart a function of the depth of the openings 101, which in turn maydepend, at least in part, on the thickness of the pegboard 100. Threedifferent styles have been shown for openings, identified in FIG. 2 as101 (straight-though hole), 101′ (hole with a shelf part way through)and 101″ (blind hole not extending through the board. It will beapparent to the skilled artisan that these and other shapes and stylesof openings may be used.

As mentioned briefly above, it is not specifically required thatpegboard 100 have circular holes 101 for openings to support pegs. Theopenings 101 may take a variety of shapes in alternative embodiments,such as rectangles, triangles, and so on, and openings of differentshapes, sizes and depths may be used in the same board 100.

In alternative embodiments, pegboard 100 may be made of any one ofvarious materials such as urethane, metal, aluminum, wood, rubber,various polymers, and so on. The material will depend in many instancesat least in part on intended use and desired attributes. For example, ifsuch a pegboard 100 is to be used in a watercraft, composition wouldpreferably be of a water-resistant material.

In still other embodiments, the sides of the board 100 need not be cutirregularly as described above. Boards 100 may be connected in a matrixto cover a desired area by other means such as magnets, perforated sidesmating with pinned sides in a pin-and socket arrangement, sides withVelcro™, spring clamps, and a variety of other ways. Again, the mode ofconnection will vary at least in part depending upon the given use andrequired functionality of the pegboard 100 and the vehicle.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a peg 300 which, in a preferredembodiment, is used for insertion into openings 101 in pegboard 100 tosupport cargo in transit. In a preferred embodiment, peg 300 iscylindrical, with a diameter D and height H, and may be, for example, acut piece of plastic pipe. The shape and diameter of pegs in embodimentsof the invention must match openings in pegboards 100, such that pegs300 may be inserted in any desired pattern in openings 101 to partiallysurround, and thereby constrain an object placed for transport, theobject resting on the pegboard 100. For example, a user might have asystem of pegboards 100 fit together to cover the trunk area of anautomobile. In the event of a need to transport a can of gasoline, torefuel an automobile that is out of gas, for example, the user mightplace the gas can on the pegboard 100 in the trunk, and then place pegs300 into the pegboard 100 in a pattern to constrain the gas canlaterally, so it can not tip over in transit.

The height H of an individual peg 300 will be, in many casescommensurate with the particular item it is used to constrain.Therefore, pegs 300 of several different lengths may be made availablein a system of pegboards 100 and pegs 300 to allow a user a choice inthe peg 300 lengths best suited to a task. The cross section of anindividual peg 300, as stated briefly above, must match the crosssection of the openings 101 in pegboard 100 in pegboard 100.

It is not specifically required that pegs 300 be made of any particularmaterial. In one embodiment pegs 300 are cut pieces of plastic pipe, butpegs 300 may be composed of a variety of other materials such as steel,plastic, polymers, rubber, etc., and may be solid rather than hollow.The composition of the pegs 300 will depend, at least to some degree, onthe particular use and requisite requirements of the system of pegs andpegboards. For instance, if the apparatus is to be used for transport ofgasoline, a material resistant to corrosive effects of gasoline might beused. If, on the other hand, the system is to be used on watercraft, awaterproof composition may be used. And if the apparatus must belightweight, a lightweight composition must be used.

FIG. 4 a is an elevation view of an elastic cap element 400 meant to befitted onto the upper extremity of pegs 300 in some embodiments, to actas a cushion between the pegs 300 and the cargo. The elastic element 400in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 a has a dome shape 401 and an opening403 in an otherwise flat bottom area 402, the opening corresponding tothe diameter, or other shape, of the corresponding peg 300 to which itmay be assembled. The outside size of the elastic element 400 isdictated by several factors. The size may vary as to the diameter of thepeg 300. It may vary as to the length of the peg 300. It may vary as toits purpose and function. It may also vary according to the particularitem is encloses. The height and diameter of elastic element 400 mayalso vary considerably in different embodiments. A variety of materialsmay be used for the elastic element 400, such as urethane and otherlong-chain polymers, sponge material, rubber, both natural andsynthetic, and other materials as well. The composition of the elasticelement 400 is dependent on a number of factors dictated by its functionand purpose and the particular item of cargo it may be used toconstrain.

In still another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 b elastic element 400′may have a protruding element (shaft) 404 on the bottom surface 402 formeans of fitting into the inside diameter a peg 300 or into acorresponding recess on the top of peg 300. This embodiment consequentlywould not have a recess on the bottom surface. In another embodimentelastic elements 400 may be made in pairs joined by a relatively thinextrusion, a cord, or a cable, so that elements 400 fitted to adjacentpegs 300 will also provide a joining element between pegs 300 to aid inconstraining items of cargo.

In other embodiments the top surfaces of elastic elements 400 may takeother shapes. The top surface may be conical, it may be flat, or it mayeven be of an ornamental figurine shape.

FIG. 5 is an elevation perspective view of an elastic strap 500 usefulin embodiments of the present invention. Each end of strap 500 (one endis shown) has a sleeve 501 with an opening 502 sized to fit over a peg300, such that strap 500 may be disposed between any two pegs 300 in asystem for constraining cargo, with web area 503 extending between thepegs. The inside diameter of sleeves 501 corresponds generally to thediameter of the pegs 300 to which they may be slidably engaged. Thelengths of straps 500 between end sleeves 501 may vary considerably.Varying lengths provide a user with an ability to accommodate items ofvarious sizes to be constrained. The height of sleeves 501 is limitedonly by the length of corresponding pegs 300, but in 20 most cases willbe considerably less than the height of a peg 300, so that the ends oftwo straps 500 may engage the same peg 300, one strap 500 to extend fromthe peg 300 in one direction toward an adjacent peg 300, and the otherstrap 500 to extend in another, substantially opposite direction towarda different adjacent peg 300. In this way elastic straps 500 may be usedto completely surround items of cargo to be constrained. Height of webarea 503 may vary as well, and may in some instances be less than theheight of sleeves 501 on the ends of the straps 500. The thickness ofweb area 503 will also depend to some extent on the items to beconstrained and particular intended use.

Straps 500 are preferably elastic, as described above, but theparticular elastic material may vary. The straps 500 may be made ofrubber, either natural or synthetic, but it is not specifically requiredthat the strap be rubber. The strap 500 may be of a flexible cloth ortextile with Velcro™ ends, for example. Each Velcro™ end would wraparound and enclose a peg 300. In another embodiment, bungee cords may beused instead of the straps 500. In this embodiment, the strap functionis substantially provided by elastic bungee material with the distalends fastened to metal hooks. The hooks have dimensions chosen tocorrespond to pegs 300 to which they may attach.

FIG. 6 a is an elevation view of a system comprising pegs 300 insertedinto openings 101 in a pegboard 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, the pegs 300 having elastic elements 400 fitted tothe upper ends of the pegs 300. An item of cargo 601 is shown placedupon pegboard 100, and pegs 300 are arranged around item 601. It may beseen that the item of cargo, if displaced toward a peg 300, will firstcontact elastic elements 400 rather than the peg 300.

FIG. 6 b is a plan view of the system of FIG. 6 a showing item 601resting on pegboard 100 and constrained by four pegs 300, three of whichmay be seen in FIG. 6 a, with each peg having an elastic element 400affixed thereto. Again, it is clear that item 601, if displaced in anydirection, will contact one or more of the elastic elements 400 ratherthan any other portion of the system. It is also apparent in the planview of FIG. 6 b, that the hole pattern will not always allow pegs to beinserted such that elements 400 will be equidistant from an item ofcargo to be constrained, but this should not be a problem if there are asufficient number of openings 101 in a relatively even matrix.

FIG. 7 a is an elevation view of a system with a pegboard 100′, two pegs300, and two elastic straps 500 constraining an item of cargo 601. Inthis embodiment sleeves 501 are of a length (height) considerably lessthan the overall height of pegs 300 so each peg 300 may connect to bothelastic straps 500 to enclose the item of cargo.

FIG. 7 b is an elevation view of the system of FIG. 7 a with pegboard100′, pegs 300, elastic straps 500, and item of cargo 601 of FIG. 7 aconstrained by the straps 500. In this case there are two pegs 300 andtwo straps 500, but it will be apparent to the skilled artisan that thenumber of pegs 300 and straps 500 may vary. In this illustration elasticelements 400 are not shown to better illustrate the use of straps 500,but elements 400 may well be used in other embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for assemblyand use of pegboards, pegs, straps and peg tops in an embodiment of thepresent invention. In step 801 modular pegboards are fitted together tocover a desired area, such as the trunk space of an automobile. In step802 one or more items of cargo are placed on the pegboard area. In step803 pegs are inserted into the peg board in a pattern to constrain theone or more items of cargo. In step 804, which is an optional step,straps are fitted to mounted pegs to further constrain items of cargo.In step 805, also optional, elastic tops are fitted to one or more ofthe pegs to further constrain and protect items of cargo.

It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that embodiments of theinvention described above may be altered in many ways without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention, and many of the wayshave already been detailed. Other features not mentioned in thisspecification, but known to one skilled in the art may also beintegrated as well, without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. There are, for example, a wide variety of materialsthat may be used, there are many changes that may be made in dimensionsand so forth to accommodate different needs, and there may be decorativeeffects (colors, shapes) that may be used, all within the scope of theinvention. The methods and apparatus of the present invention shouldtherefore be afforded the broadest possible scope under examination. Thespirit and scope of the present invention should be limited only by theclaims that follow.

1. A pegboard system for constraining items of cargo in transit,comprising: one or more pegboards to cover a cargo support area, thepegboards having an upper surface with openings for pegs; and aplurality of pegs sized to fit into the openings in the pegboards toconstrain the items of cargo from substantial lateral movement.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein individual pegboards have lateral interfacesfor joining to cover the cargo support area.
 3. The system of claim 2wherein the lateral interfaces are dovetail shapes.
 4. The system ofclaim 2 wherein the lateral interfaces include one or more of magnets,spring clamps, pin-and-socket interfaces, or adhesive fasteners.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the openings are round holes extending atleast part way through a thickness of the pegboard, and the pegs areround shafts having a diameter to firmly engage the openings.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1 further comprising elastic top elements engaging oneor more of the pegs, the top elements having a greater lateral extentthan the pegs, and thereby providing protection between pegs and itemsof cargo.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the pegs are hollow tubes andthe top elements comprise an extension portion for engaging the insideof the tube.
 8. The system of claim 1 further comprising straps forengaging pegs to further constrain the items of cargo, the straps havingends enabled to attach to individual pegs.
 9. The system of claim 8wherein the ends of the straps are enabled by sleeves to slidably engagepegs.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein sleeves have a height less thanone half the height of pegs, such that sleeves from two different strapsmay engage the same peg.
 11. A method for constraining cargo in transit,comprising the steps of: (a) covering at least a portion of a cargo areawith one or more pegboards each having an upper surface with openingsfor pegs; (b) placing an item of cargo on the pegboard; and (c) placingpegs in openings in the one or more pegboards in a pattern around theitem of cargo to constrain the item from lateral movement.
 12. Themethod of claim 11 wherein individual pegboards have lateral interfacesfor joining to cover the cargo support area, and including a step forengaging the pegboards by the lateral interfaces.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 wherein the lateral interfaces are dovetail shapes.
 14. Themethod of claim 12 wherein the lateral interfaces include one or more ofmagnets, spring clamps, pin-and-socket interfaces, or adhesivefasteners.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the openings are roundholes extending at least part way through a thickness of the pegboard,and the pegs are round shafts having a diameter to firmly engage theopenings.
 16. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step forengaging one or more elastic top elements to one or more of the pegs,the top elements having a greater lateral extent than the pegs, andthereby providing protection between the pegs and the item of cargo. 17.The method of claim 16 wherein the pegs are hollow tubes and the topelements comprise an extension portion for engaging the inside of thetube.
 18. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step for engagingstraps between pegs to further constrain the item of cargo, the strapshaving ends enabled to attach to individual pegs.
 19. The method ofclaim 18 wherein the ends of the straps are enabled by sleeves toslidably engage pegs.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the sleeveshave a height less than one half the height of the pegs, such thatsleeves from two different straps may engage the same peg.